BILL NUMBER: ACR 71	CHAPTERED  06/29/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   50
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   JUNE 29, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 28, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   JUNE 24, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 24, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 21, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Steinberg and Villaraigosa
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Aanestad, Ackerman, Alquist, Aroner,
Ashburn, Baldwin, Bates, Battin, Baugh, Bock, Brewer, Briggs,
Calderon, Cardenas, Cardoza, Cedillo, Corbett, Correa, Cox, Cunneen,
Davis, Dickerson, Ducheny, Dutra, Firebaugh, Florez, Frusetta,
Gallegos, Granlund, Havice, Hertzberg, Honda, House, Jackson,
Kaloogian, Keeley, Knox, Kuehl, Leach, Lempert, Leonard, Longville,
Lowenthal, Machado, Maddox, Maldonado, Margett, Mazzoni, McClintock,
Migden, Nakano, Olberg, Oller, Robert Pacheco, Rod Pacheco, Papan,
Pescetti, Reyes, Romero, Runner, Scott, Shelley, Soto, Strickland,
Strom-Martin, Thompson, Thomson, Torlakson, Vincent, Washington,
Wayne, Wesson, Wiggins, Wildman, Wright, and Zettel)
   (Principal coauthor:  Senator Ortiz)
   (Coauthors:  Senators Alarcon, Alpert, Baca, Bowen, Brulte,
Burton, Chesbro, Dunn, Figueroa, Hayden, Haynes, Hughes, Johnston,
Karnette, Kelley, Knight, Lewis, McPherson, Monteith, Mountjoy, O'
Connell, Perata, Polanco, Poochigian, Rainey, Schiff, Sher, Solis,
and Wright)

                        JUNE 21, 1999

   Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 71--Relative to synagogue fires
in Sacramento.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 71, Steinberg.  Synagogue fires in Sacramento.
   This measure would declare that the Legislature sends support and
heartfelt condolences to Congregation B'nai Israel, Congregation Beth
Shalom, Kenesset Israel Torah Center, and the entire Sacramento
community in connection with recent arson crimes committed at those
synagogues.  The measure also denounces these criminal acts and
resolves to combat hatred, promote unity, assist in bringing those
responsible to justice, and help the community rebuild the damaged
synagogues.




   WHEREAS, Members of the Jewish community have played a strong and
vital role in the affairs of the Sacramento region for more than 150
years; and
   WHEREAS, Three Sacramento area synagogues, Congregation B'nai
Israel, the oldest synagogue in the western United States,
Congregation Beth Shalom, and the Kenesset Israel Torah Center, were
attacked by arsonists on the eve of the Sabbath, June 18, 1999; and
   WHEREAS, All three fires occurred in the early morning hours, in
the dark of night, within a one-hour time period; and
   WHEREAS, Damage at the three synagogues was extensive and included
the library with many historic books and videos at Congregation B'
nai Israel and virtually the complete destruction of the Kenesset
Israel Torah Center; and
   WHEREAS, These three fires were the result of despicable hatred
and cowardice that comprise one of the worst acts of anti-Semitism in
American history; and
   WHEREAS, An act against one house of worship is an act of violence
against all houses of worship; and
   WHEREAS, An act against one part of our community is an act of
violence against the entire community; and
   WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon each of us to do everything possible
to combat hatred and intolerance whenever and wherever it occurs;
now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California
sends support and heartfelt condolences to Congregation B'nai Israel,
Congregation Beth Shalom, Kenesset Israel Torah Center, and the
entire Sacramento community; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature denounces these cowardly criminal
acts and resolves to do everything possible as representatives of
California to combat hatred, promote unity, assist in bringing those
responsible for these heinous crimes to justice, and help the
community rebuild the damaged synagogues.
